Explore Edenton

Edenton has occupied the shores of the Albemarle Sound and Edenton Bay for over 300 years. It has a long history of cutting edge manufacturing and food processing. Retirees and new residents add vibrancy, new ideas and vitality to the historic town. Residents are engaged in integrating the community’s historic past with a vibrant future. With moderate climates, excellent health care, low cost of living, and an ideal location you can see why people have been calling Edenton “home” for over 300 years! Come see for yourself what the nation’s founding fathers knew when they called Edenton home!

The town’s location made Edenton the ideal place for the first colonial capital of North Carolina. Situated at the confluence of the chowan River, the Roanoke River and the Albemarle Sound, as well as the future I-87, Edenton radiates rich history, stunning architecture and natural beauty. For years now, the town has been investing to ensure that history is preserved and to leverage its resources to bring tourism and jobs, and to build a vibrant economy for the area.

Edenton loves sharing with visitors its rich history, scenic beauty, and exceptional architecture. Edenton is home to three National Historic Landmarks, one of which is the state’s oldest courthouse, built in 1767 and still in use. Recognized by Forbes.com as one of America’s Prettiest Towns, and one of the “20 Best Small Towns” in the U.S., according to Smithsonian magazine. Edenton has a vibrant downtown with unique shops, eateries, and a variety of other businesses.

A prime pro-business location, Edenton and chowan County offer a rich industrial diversity, which provide for its economic well-being. Edenton is an economic center in the region with a historic waterfront and a cultural hub complete with all the small town conveniences.

In less than an hour’s drive east, you can find yourself at the Outer Banks (OBX), which is a 200-mile-long (320 km) string of narrow peninsulas and barrier islands off the coast of North Carolina. Or in a 75 minute drive north to Virginia, Norfolk is a historic international port city for over 400 years. Heading west, Raleigh is less than 2 hours away by car.

Manufacturing ranges from peanut roasting for national brands and distributors to world-class boatbuilding to steel manufacturing. Agriculture and associated businesses continue to be a large employer. Corn, peanuts, cotton, tobacco, soybeans and wood are among the many crops grown in this rich agricultural area.

We are served, within a two-hour drive, by two international airports, Raleigh-Durham International Airport and Norfolk International Airport. Five major universities including the University of North Carolina, East Carolina University, NC State University, Duke University, North Carolina Central University. The College of Albemarle, which has a campus located in Edenton, was named #1 Community College in North Carolina by Schools.com.

We are served by two major hospital systems, Vidant Health Systems, with Vidant Health-owned hospital, Vidant Chowan Hospital, in Edenton and Sentara Healthcare System which is based in Norfolk, VA. That’s what you’ll find in Edenton and Chowan County.

OUR CLIMATE

Because Edenton is part of the Albemarle Region of the inland Coastal Plain of North Carolina, temperatures average 60.9 degrees. The average for January is 42.3 degrees and for June is 75.3 degrees. Annual rainfall average 47.9 inches. Annual average snowfall is 4.6 inches and elevation is 19 feet.

Edenton offers mild winters and four seasons that creates a prime location for all types of outdoor recreation including championship golf, boating, waterskiing and personal watercraft, biking, hiking, kayaking and canoeing, camping, hunting, and fishing throughout the year.

The Coastal Plain is the major area for extensive agricultural crops, including soybeans, peanuts, potatoes, sweet potatoes, corn for seed, wheat and several other small grains. This is the area with deep soils, abundant flat land, and a long growing seasons.

A supportive community, Edenton offers convenient location for business or travel (on the Future I-87), and a reasonable cost of living. Don’t take our word for it – come and explore all that the Edenton and Chowan County has to offer first hand!

Downtown Edenton

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So Much To Do

There has never been a confirmed case or complaint of boredom in Edenton. With miles of rivers, creeks ponds and lakes, the Albemarle Sound and Edenton Bay are a boaters paradise, and a way of life! If you prefer the beach, the pristine shores of the Outer Banks are 90 minutes away. And, if you must dry out, there are 3 golf courses, tennis courts, shopping, yoga and hunting!